“The Act on Climate requires net-zero emissions economy-wide by 2050. We’re going to need to figure out how the gas distribution network can deliver a low- or zero-carbon product, or we’re going to have to do something else with the network.”

“What we see are storm clouds on the horizon that are going to affect reliability, resource adequacy, and prices because of state and federal initiatives that are pushing for a rapid transition away from thermal resources into renewable resources.”

“Bipartisan legislation required the Commission to develop a plan to reduce carbon emissions from Duke Energy’s electric generating facilities by 70% from 2005 levels by 2030 and to become carbon neutral by 2050.”

“To the extent any policies present a challenge, it’s at the local level where some communities have put up regulatory barriers to siting of wind and solar. To counter that, the Indiana General Assembly enacted legislation allowing communities to be certified as renewable-ready communities, saying, “Our doors are open to projects.”

“Florida, and the Southeast in general, keeps a close eye on anything that may impact the reliability of our grid, especially hurricanes. The typical forms of generation have been built with resiliency in mind. There are still some unknowns about the long-term viability and resiliency of renewables – mainly solar – to withstand some of that severe weather.”

“I would prefer that people see the move toward clean energy as an evolution. That it’s not necessarily a top-down transition in any way. Those tend to crash and burn ultimately. It’s better if you find support, it creates its own momentum, and moves along.”

“I stepped into the middle of the debate on whether we mandate a clean energy transition in Arizona. After four years of debate, we did not mandate it, but have supported the utilities’ commitments. They’re all 100% carbon-free by 2050.”

In discussions with ten Commissioners from every end of the country, PUF’s Paul Kjellander asked what’s driving the energy transition in their states, their state’s policies, barriers for the transition to overcome, and risks, also the role of consumer-owned energy. Sponsored by Itron.

Exelon subsidiary ComEd began its Community of the Future program in 2016 with the Bronzeville Community Microgrid in Chicago. PUF journeyed there to see firsthand how ComEd is taking Chicago into the future with the first utility operated microgrid cluster.

The PUF team honors 17 individual innovators or teams of innovators, in categories such as reliability, transmission tech, and grid ops.